Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot’s improper landing flare and inadequate directional control while performing an aborted landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot reported that, during a solo flight, she made a normal approach, and the airplane touched down firmly on the runway and bounced twice. The pilot neutralized the flight controls to stop the bouncing. When directed by the tower air traffic controller to go-around, she applied full power, turned off the carburetor heat, and raised the flaps. As she raised the airplane’s nosewheel off of the ground, the airplane veered to the left, exited the runway surface, and struck a runway sign. The airplane’s firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.
Source record
Factual narrative
The student pilot reported that after a normal approach on her solo flight, the airplane touched down firmly onto the runway and bounced twice. The pilot neutralized the flight controls when she was directed by the air traffic control tower to go-around. She applied full power, turned off the carburetor heat, and raised the flaps. As she raised the nose off of the ground, the airplane veered to the left, exited the runway surface, and struck a runway sign, substantially damaging the airplane’s firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.